Downward Spiral is an imperial version of our Hopside Down India style pale lager that was aged on new oak spirals. This bold wood-aged beer is an aggressively hopped, cold-fermented brew that brings together the clean, crisp finish of a lager with the hop character of Anipa, balanced by distinct oak flavors and aromas.

Why did I wait so long to open this? (Sep 23, 2013 on label) It's been in my beer fridge since purchasing, whenever that was.I guess this rainy Sunday in California was a special enough occasion to pop the top, and I'm so glad I did! Look: Lovely cloudy amber. Lacing's hang on the tulip.Smell: I really don't sniff my beer much, I mean, ITS NOT WINE....smells like...bananas?Taste: OH YUM, hops are present but subdued and there is just the loveliest hint of oak that rests on my palate long after the sip (or gulp) has gone done.Feel: just right.So, wish I'd have opened this sooner, I'd have gotten more while it was available!

Poured a caramel, orange, murky color with two fingers of frothy white head. Some bubbles coming up from the bottom. Minimal lacing along the sides of the glass. Below average retention from the bottom.

Smelled a pleasant mix on the nose. Got citrus hops first, followed by pine, soap, lime and some floral hops, immediately followed by oak, vanilla and Jack Daniels. Very boozy, but probably matches nine percent ABV.

Tasted similar to the nose, which was all over the place. Got citrus hops, soapy pine, then dominated by boozy oak. Also bourbon, vanilla and bitter nickel.

nice bright yellow-orange color with little to no effervescent bubbles and a lighter, creamy-looking head.candy-sweet aroma, biscuit-y malt and fruit (orange?).taste is sweet up front, with little bitterness on the side of the tongue. candy-orange flavor but without the novelty. taste of vanilla, for sure, and... is that the oak it's referring to? a very decent IPL, and although i'm not a fan of the IPL, I can appreciate this quite a bit. nice abv too!overall, a decent brew. the bitterness at the finish is interesting.